A letter from Sarah Shaw, Chair of the Community Liaison Group

29 August 2024

The Community Liaison Group was formed in late 2023 to ensure the voices of the six hundred plus members of Muscular Dystrophy Queensland and their carers had a way to be heard. As well as to assist  MDQ’s understanding by contributing current real lived experience to the conversation around its organisational priorities.

In its first full year of operation the committee has focused on the provision of multiple ways for the community to connect.  By creating/commencing:

• The MDQ Peer Support Facebook group for 18 plus. A place to locate relevant information, connect with other peers in the community and get your questions answered.
• The monthly Virtual Coffee and Chat. A place to meet and chat with others living with MD. The link to each meeting can be found in the MDQ Peer support events page or by emailing CLGChair@mdqld.org.au.
• In person events for the community. The next one will be a trivia night to be held on the 5^th October 2024. Details will be emailed and posted to the MDQ socials. We hope to see many of you there.

The committee is well aware that MDQ members are geographically dispersed with a wide range of different needs and impacts. We are therefore committed to providing connection through a range of mediums and at varied geographical locations, days and times.  We hope in this way everyone will have a chance to connect throughout the year.

The committee has also worked with MDQ in their provision of an increase in community events over the last eighteen months.  From the Easter/Christmas events, the school holiday program and the Ride Walk Roll launch.

Want to get involved?

The community liaison group is a dedicated small group of people who could benefit from the addition of you.  Especially if you are from regional Queensland, or under twenty-five. If you can commit to quarterly meetings and adding your voice to discussions, and working with others collegially we would love to have you.

Can’t join the committee but still want to help?  Please take the time to fill out the MDQ Annual Survey which will come out towards the end of the year.

If you have any queries, concerns or ideas or just want to introduce yourself feel free to contact me at CLGChair@mdqld.org.au.

Hope to see you soon.

Sarah Shaw
On behalf of the Community Liaison Group

Sarah Shaw CLG Chair